25 Products That Are Loved Locally But Somehow Haven’t Got Global Recognition

In the vast landscape of global trade and commerce, certain products from different countries often remain hidden treasures, waiting to be discovered by a worldwide audience. Recently, a curious Reddit user sparked a fascinating discussion by asking fellow users to share one product from their home country that they find surprising has not yet gained global recognition.

#1

Image source: plumpynutbar, u/youreannie

Bakfietsen (bikes with a kind of wheelbarrow front for carrying kids or groceries). I’ve seen a few bakfietsen in the states lately which is cool. But without dedicated bike lanes I would guess carrying kids in them would be a terrible idea.

#2

Image source: wrighterjw10, Patrick van IJzendoorn

Bidet. I cannot believe they are not more popular in the US! They can be very inexpensive, and it was a quality of life type change.

#3

Image source: Guppy1985, wiki commoms

In New Zealand we have a thing called ACC ( accident compensation corporation) which is a public body that pays for hospital care, physiotherapy etc if you get injured. It is also written into our law that you can’t sue someone if you get injured.

The effect of this is that:
1) people get quicker and better quality care, and the focus is on recovery
2) you don’t have to sue someone for minor accidents that lead to disproportionate injuries (eg tripping on a public footpath and breaking your leg)
3) people don’t get injured then try to profit from it by suing for stupid amounts of money
4) we don’t have predatory lawyers trying to make money out of injuries, and none of those ‘were you injured and it wasn’t your fault’ adverts everywhere etc.

I don’t know all of the figures but my gut feeling is that this is a more efficient and better quality system than what many other countries have.

#4

Image source: youburyitidigitup, u/supercalliefragislit

Toilets with pedals instead of levers so you don’t have to touch anything with your hands

#5

Image source: Dodel1976, Leimenide

The NHS.

Walk into a hospital, get fixed and leave without worrying about paying, I’ve nothing more to say.

#6

Image source: Billbapaparazzi, Allison

Poutine

#7

Image source: larrybird977, Mary Hutchison

Irn-Bru (Scotland’s number 1 fizzy drink)

#8

Image source: Loveontherockswithno, OLD BAY® Seasoning

Old Bay and malt vinegar on French fries, seafood, almost anything. Why only Maryland and Virginia? It’s freaking delicious.

#9

Image source: PNWSwag, Jorge Franganillo

Root beer and peanut butter

#10

Image source: rarelulu, postiimage

Kinda not a product but – **bottle recycling machine/reverse vending machine** (?lol) Basically when you buy a drink in a bottle/can, you pay a little “pawn fee” (like 20 cents) and when you later go put the empty bottle/can in the machine you get the fee back. We usually collect the bottles until there is like 6 bags and then go cash out like 16€ at once. Its pretty neat. It encourages recycling!:)

EDIT: This is how they look like! I’m glad to read from comments it’s a thing in so many more countries! More info: Cans and bottles have different fees. You insert the bottles/cans one by one, bottom first, the machine has to read a certain symbol on the packaging otherwise it wont go in. There is usually a worker on the other side making sure it doesnt overfill. They are fairly clean and there is usually a sink in the room. In the last few years, there have been newer machines where you can just dump your entire bag into the machine and it does the whole sorting on its own. And to those who were interested, I am from Estonia :)

#11

Image source: jujubeanieman, Rex Roof

Stroopwafels

#12

Image source: Diocletion-Jones, wiki commons

The pasty.

As a concept it’s food designed to be eaten on the go that’s contained and resists dropping the contents all over the floor as you eat it. It’s crust can be used to hold the food if you have dirty hands or the contents are hot and the crust can be discarded afterwards guilt free because it’s biodegradable.

#13

Image source: Turbulent-Bar-6103, u/Stidsholt_Funday

Pålægschokolade (Denmark) – thin sheets of dark or milk chocolate to eat on your breakfast bun over a thick layer of butter.

#14

Image source: Nurannoniel, Lisa Fotios

Still amazed that my US friends don’t regularly use electric tea kettles. My friend was tickled pink that I sent her one for Christmas.

#15

Image source: vchengap, edenink

From India: cardamom. I know the spice is not exclusive to India, but I’m surprised it’s not used in more applications. I’ve had cardamom infused cocktails in the past (mojitos, margs, etc.) and they are absolutely incredible. I’m surprised it hasn’t taken off in the world of mixology at the very least.

#16

Image source: major_grooves, u/whipped-desserts

Tablet from Scotland. It’s like fudge but more. So much more.

#17

Image source: noetkoett, Wikimedia Commons

Finland – dish drying cabinet.

#18

Image source: My_browsing, u/elundeen

For the US, biscuits and gravy. Every single person I have introduced to it, fell in love. For whatever reason, I found British people go absolutely bonkers for it. One co-worker in London Skyped with my wife so she could walk him through the gravy.

Edit: yes, Americans mean something very different by “biscuits” and “gravy”. Also, no they are not scones. Buttermilk biscuits are much softer and richer. I’ve found no exact counterpart in Europe. Sort of between a scone and a croissant.

#19

Image source: babyfuzzina, DancingBacons

Not my home country, but heated vending machines from Japan

#20

Image source: altimage, u/kayla_mincerepublic

Just got back from England. America needs halloumi fries!!

#21

Image source: SilvDeVill, wiki commons

Biltong!

#22

Image source: renebelloche, angelsshareglass

So if you order a whisky in Scotland, if the place is anywhere decent they will give you a wee jug of water so you can add a drop or two to open it up as required. I’ve not had that once anywhere else, and I’ve leaned from experience to explicitly say “no ice” in the US. So, that wee water jug.

#23

Image source: GodToldMeToPostThis, Brian Boucheron

Cream Cheese. I visited a very nice newer all inclusive in Central America. They had bagels but no cream cheese. I inquired if they had some and everyone in the kitchen had never heard of it. As I ate breakfast a manager found me at my table and started asking questions about it. I told him it wasn’t a big deal but he had to know so that they could have it for future guests. I wish I was there to see them taste it.

#24

Image source: Longjumping-Ad-226, Ruth Ellison

Meat pies such as Steak and cheese, bacon and egg, classic mince, lamb & mint, potato top. all in lovely pastry served in a white paper bag, gotta love NZ

#25

Image source: ceejay955, u/Deslexia

As an American who lived in France for a year in college, I am really surprised that late night European style kebab joints aren’t really a thing that has taken off yet here.